JUST IN: Why Falcons LB Nate Landman Left, Signed with Rams in Free Agency
Nate Landman proudly wears the Zimbabwean flag on his helmet to honor his birthplace, even though he spent much of his childhood in Danville, California, and hasn’t spent much time in Los Angeles.
However, for the former Falcons linebacker, who signed with the Rams on Tuesday, moving west feels like a “homecoming.”
“A lot of my high school friends relocated here for work,” Landman said Wednesday. “I’m excited to be back on the West Coast and reconnect with them. My parents are just a short flight away, and my siblings all live in California or Nevada.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and my family to spend more time together and embrace this new chapter.”
Landman also has some indirect familiarity with the Rams’ defensive system. Last offseason, several coaches, including then-Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and assistant Jimmy Lake, moved to Atlanta. Morris took over as the Falcons’ head coach and brought Lake along as defensive coordinator. Although Atlanta later fired Lake, the Rams rehired him as a senior defensive assistant.
The Rams’ recent success—making the playoffs six of the last eight years—also factored into Landman’s decision.
“For me, it was a combination of factors,” he said. “The Rams have a winning culture, and I’m a West Coast guy. Growing up in California, coming back home was an easy choice. Plus, I built a strong relationship with Jimmy Lake last year.
“All of that made it a simple decision. I’m just really excited to be here, grateful for the opportunity, and ready to get started.”
Although he acknowledges the Rams’ defense won’t be identical to Atlanta’s, Landman believes his experience under Morris and Lake gives him a head start.
“There will definitely be differences—every coach has their own style,” he said. “But having familiarity with the system, understanding how we approach offenses, and knowing some of the terminology will make the transition smoother.”
The Falcons had an opportunity to retain the 26-year-old Landman, who recorded 192 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles while starting 23 games over the past two seasons. However, they declined to tender him as a restricted free agent, allowing him to enter unrestricted free agency and ultimately sign with Los Angeles.
